JP5372678B2 - Sample processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A sample processing apparatus, including: a sample processing unit for obtaining a sample from a sample container positioned at a sample obtaining position and performing a predetermined process of the sample; a transport unit for transporting a sample rack holding the sample container via the sample obtaining position; and a transport controller for performing a stop process to stop the transport operation of the sample rack by the transport unit when a transport suspension event has occurred during the transport operation of the sample rack, and for controlling the transport unit to restart the transport operation of the sample rack from a stop position at which the sample rack has been stopped by the stop process.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample processing apparatus for processing a sample such as blood.

  Conventionally, there has been known a sample processing apparatus that performs processing by sucking a sample from a sample container held in a sample rack (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of sample processing apparatus, a transport unit is provided for transporting a sample rack holding a sample container to a suction position. A sample rack holding a plurality of sample containers is set in a rack set area on the transport unit. The sample rack set in the rack set area is transported by the transport unit toward the suction position in front of the measurement unit, and the sample containers accommodated in the sample rack are sequentially positioned at the suction position. Further, while the sample rack is transported to the suction position, the barcodes of all the sample containers accommodated in the sample rack are read by the barcode reader. When the aspiration of all the specimen containers contained in the specimen rack is completed, the specimen rack is transported to the rack housing area on the transport section.

  In such a sample processing apparatus, if a predetermined cause of interruption occurs during the transport operation of the sample rack, the transport operation of the sample rack is interrupted. In this case, the user restarts the transport operation of the sample rack after returning the sample rack from the interruption position to the rack set area.

JP 2008-32688 A

  However, in the sample processing apparatus, when the transport of the sample rack is interrupted, the user has to restart the transport operation after returning the sample rack to the rack set area, which is troublesome for the user. Occurs.

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample processing apparatus capable of resuming transport of a sample rack while reducing the burden on the user when the transport of the sample rack is interrupted. .

A sample processing apparatus according to a main aspect of the present invention includes a sample processing unit for taking a sample from a sample container positioned at a sample take-in position and performing a predetermined process, and a sample rack capable of holding the sample container. When a cause of transportation interruption occurs during the transportation operation of the transport unit for transporting toward the take-in position and the sample rack that holds the sample container for which the sample has not been taken in, the cause of the transport interruption is caused by the transport unit. After the sample rack is positioned at a predetermined position corresponding to the position from the position of the sample rack at the time of occurrence, a stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit is executed, and the sample is processed by the stop process. Transport control means for restarting the transport operation of the sample rack by the transport unit from the predetermined position where the rack is stopped. Here, the transport unit includes a lid portion that covers a part of the transport path of the sample rack and covers the sample rack transported to the predetermined position.

According to the sample processing apparatus of this aspect, even when the transport of the sample rack is stopped, the transport operation of the sample rack is restarted from the stop position where the sample rack is stopped. For this reason, when the transport operation is restarted, a complicated operation of returning the sample rack to the transport start position can be omitted. Therefore, the transport operation of the sample rack can be restarted while reducing the burden on the operator. In addition, when the transport operation is interrupted, even if the sample container is positioned in an area that is not covered by the lid, during the interruption, the sample rack is positioned at a predetermined position and all the samples held in the sample rack are retained. Since the container is covered by the lid, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the sample in the sample container held in the sample rack during the interruption of the transport operation, and to hold the sample in the sample rack. It is possible to prevent an erroneous replacement of the sample container. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately process the sample.

  In the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the transport unit is engaged with the sample rack, an engagement mechanism that is driven to engage with the sample rack, an engagement drive unit that drives the engagement mechanism, and the sample rack. A movement mechanism for moving the engagement mechanism in the conveyance direction; a motor for driving the movement mechanism; and a motor drive unit for driving the motor, wherein the conveyance control means interrupts the conveyance operation. The engagement drive unit and the motor drive unit may be controlled such that the motor continues to be excited while the engagement mechanism is engaged with the sample rack. By doing so, the position of the sample rack is prevented from being shifted while the transport operation is interrupted, so that the transport operation can be resumed without any problem.

Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the transport control unit acquires information on the position of the sample rack on the transport path, information on the predetermined position where the sample rack has stopped, and the information at the time of the restart. Based on the information regarding the position of the sample rack, the transport unit may be configured to restart the transport operation of the sample rack. In this way, even if the position of the sample rack is shifted while the transport operation is interrupted, the position of the sample rack after the shift is known, so that the transport operation can be resumed without any problem.

  In the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the transport unit includes an engagement mechanism that is driven to engage with the sample rack, and an engagement drive unit that drives the engagement mechanism. The transport control unit may be configured to control the engagement driving unit so that the engagement mechanism maintains a state of being engaged with the sample rack while the transport operation is interrupted. In this way, it is possible to prevent the sample rack from being mistakenly replaced while the transport operation is interrupted, so that the sample can be appropriately processed.

  Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the sample processing unit includes a pipette for aspirating a sample from a sample container held in the sample rack, and the transport control means includes the pipette in the sample container. If the cause of the interruption of transport occurs while being inserted, the sample rack may be transported to the predetermined position after the pipette is removed from the sample container. This prevents the pipette from coming into contact with the sample container when the sample rack is moved to a predetermined position.

  Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the sample rack can hold a plurality of sample containers, and the transport control unit is configured such that the sample container held in the sample rack is positioned at the sample take-in position. If the cause of the interruption of transport occurs when the transport operation is resumed, the sample container that has already completed the sample capture is not moved to the sample capture position when the transport operation is resumed, and the sample capture is not yet completed. The transport operation by the transport unit may be controlled to move the sample container to the sample take-in position. In this way, since the sample is not taken in from the sample container in which the sample has been taken in, the transport operation can be efficiently restarted.

  In this case, the sample processing apparatus is further configured to include a storage unit that stores a sample intake state for each sample container held in the sample rack, and the transport control unit is configured to store the storage unit in the storage unit. It may be configured to control the transport resuming operation by the transport unit based on the capture status.

In the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the sample rack can hold a plurality of sample containers, and identification information of each sample container held in the sample rack in the middle of a transport path toward the sample take-in position An identification information reading unit that reads the identification information for all the sample containers held in the sample rack, and when the cause of the interruption of the conveyance occurs after the completion of reading of the identification information, In the configuration, the transport unit may be controlled to transport the sample rack toward the sample take-in position without returning the sample rack to the reading position by the identification information reading unit. In this case, when the transport operation is resumed, the identification information of the sample container is not read again, so that the sample container can be quickly sent to the sample take-in position.
Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the transport control unit causes the transport unit to cause the transport interruption cause when the transport interrupt cause occurs during the transport operation toward the identification information reading unit of the sample rack. After the sample rack is transported from the position of the sample rack at the time of occurrence to the reading position as the predetermined position, a stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit is executed. obtain.
Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the transport control unit may store the identification information on the sample container being read when the cause of the transfer interruption occurs during the reading operation of the identification information by the identification information reading unit. It may be configured to wait until the reading is completed and to execute a stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit at the reading position as the predetermined position.

In this configuration, when the cause of the conveyance interruption occurs during the reading operation of the identification information by the identification information reading unit, the transfer control unit is configured to store all remaining information held in the sample rack when the transfer operation is resumed. After the reading of the identification information on the sample container is completed, the transport unit may be controlled to transport the sample rack toward the sample take-in position.
Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the transport control unit is configured to perform a transport operation from the identification information reading unit of the sample rack toward the sample take-in position or a sample container held in the sample rack. If the cause of the interruption of conveyance occurs when the sample is taken in the sample take-in position, the conveyance unit causes the position of the sample rack at the time when the cause of the interruption of conveyance occurs to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the reading position. After the sample rack is transported to the transport interruption area as the predetermined position, a stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit may be executed .

  In addition, the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect notifies that the operator does not have to move the sample rack that is in the process of transporting to resume the transport operation when the transport operation of the transport unit is interrupted. Further comprising a notification means. In this way, it is possible to prevent the operator from trying to move the sample rack to the transport start position by mistake.

  Further, in the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect, the remaining amount of the reagent used in the sample processing unit is less than a predetermined amount, the remaining amount of the cuvette used in the sample processing unit is less than a predetermined amount, A detection means for detecting at least one of a remaining amount of cleaning water used in the sample processing unit being less than a predetermined amount and a predetermined number or more of sample racks being stored in the transport unit; The cause of the interruption of conveyance may be that the detection unit has performed the detection.

  Further, the sample processing apparatus according to this aspect includes a receiving unit that receives an instruction to interrupt the transfer operation of the transfer unit, and the cause of the transfer interruption may include that the receiving unit has received the interrupt instruction. .

  As described above, it is possible to provide a sample processing apparatus capable of resuming the transport of the sample rack while reducing the burden on the user when the transport of the sample rack is interrupted.

  The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example when the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the sample processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows schematic structure inside the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the sample container and sample rack which concern on embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the conveyance unit which concerns on embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the principal part of the engagement unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the conveyance unit which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is an illustration figure of the reagent information screen displayed on the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sample aspiration process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the interruption / resume process which concerns on embodiment. It is an illustration figure of the measurement interruption message displayed on the display part of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is the example of a change of the flowchart which shows the interruption / resume process which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the conveyance control list | wrist of the preceding rack and succeeding rack which concern on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the job list which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sample rack stop process which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the conveyance resumption process which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a discharge process and a job list display process according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sample rack discharge process which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the sample processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sample processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The sample processing apparatus 1 irradiates light to a measurement sample prepared by adding a reagent to a sample (plasma), and uses a coagulation method, a synthetic substrate method, an immunoturbidimetric method, and an agglutination method to optically analyze the sample. It is a blood coagulation analyzer that performs typical measurement and analysis. The sample processing device 1 includes a measurement device 2 that optically measures a component contained in a sample (plasma), and an information processing device 3 that analyzes measurement data from the measurement device 2 and gives an operation instruction to the measurement device 2. It is configured.

  The measuring apparatus 2 is provided with a main body cover 29 as shown in the figure. The main body cover 29 is rotated as shown in the figure around the rotation shaft 29a, so that the inside of the measurement unit 10 described later can be opened and closed.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration when the inside of the measuring apparatus 2 is viewed from above. The measuring device 2 includes a measuring unit 10, a detection unit 40, and a transport unit 50.

  As shown in the drawing, the transport unit 50 is provided with a rack set area A in which the sample rack L can be placed, a transport area B, and a rack storage area C. The sample rack L is formed with a holding unit so that a plurality of sample containers T can be held, and the sample container T contains a sample to be measured.

  The sample rack L set in the rack set area A is transported in the back direction (Y-axis positive direction) along the rack set area A, and sent to the right end (end in the X-axis negative direction) of the transport area B. The sample rack L positioned at the right end of the transport area B is transported along the transport area B in the left direction (X-axis positive direction).

  As shown in the figure, a barcode reader 51 that can move left and right (X-axis positive direction and negative direction) is installed in the conveyance area B. The barcode reader 51 reads the barcode labels attached to the sample container T and the sample rack L at a predetermined position on the transport area B. In addition, sample aspiration positions 52 and 53 are set at predetermined positions in the transport region B.

  When the specimen container T is positioned at the specimen aspirating positions 52 and 53, specimens accommodated in the specimen container T are aspirated by specimen dispensing units 21 and 22, which will be described later. When all the samples in the sample container T held in the sample rack L are aspirated, the sample rack L is transported to the left end of the transport region B.

  Note that the sample processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to select two types of measurement modes, “standard measurement” and “trace measurement”. The sample in the sample container T is aspirated by the sample dispensing unit 21 at the sample aspirating position 52 during standard measurement, and is aspirated by the sample dispensing unit 22 at the sample aspirating position 53 during micro measurement.

  The sample rack L positioned at the left end of the transport area B is moved forward (Y-axis negative direction) along the rack storage area C, and the transport operation of the sample rack L is completed. The transport operation of the transport unit 50 is continuously performed on all the sample racks L set in the rack set area A.

  The sample dispensing unit 21 includes a support portion 21a, an arm 21b supported by the support portion 21a, and a pipette 21c attached to the tip of the arm 21b. The support portion 21a is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 211a (see FIG. 7) disposed on the back side of the lower surface, and the arm 21b is driven in the vertical direction (Z-axis positive direction and negative direction) by the stepping motor 211a. The sample is aspirated and discharged by using the pipette 21c. When the support portion 21a is driven to rotate, the pipette 21c moves on the circumference around the support portion 21a.

  Similarly, the sample dispensing unit 22 has the same configuration as the sample dispensing unit 21. That is, the sample dispensing unit 22 includes a support portion 22a, an arm 22b, and a pipette 22c attached to the tip of the arm 22b. The support portion 22a is rotationally driven by a stepping motor 211b (see FIG. 7) disposed on the back side of the lower surface, and the arm 22b is driven in the vertical direction by the stepping motor 211b. By using the pipette 22c, the specimen is aspirated and discharged.

  At the time of sample aspiration, the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 first rotate the support portions 21 a and 22 a to position the pipettes 21 c and 22 c on the sample aspiration positions 52 and 53. Thereafter, the arms 21b and 22b are driven downward, and the pipettes 21c and 22c are inserted into the sample container T. Thereafter, when the suction is completed, the arms 21b and 22b are driven upward, and the pipettes 21c and 22c are extracted from the sample container T.

  The specimen sucked at the specimen suction positions 52 and 53 is stored in the cuvette on the cuvette transporter 31 directly or via the cuvette on the cuvette table 15. At that time, as appropriate, the diluent set in the diluent transporter 32 is sucked by the sample dispensing unit 22 and mixed in the cuvette. Thereafter, the cuvette transport device 31 is driven rightward (X-axis negative direction), and the cuvette is transported in front of the catcher unit 26. Subsequently, the cuvette set on the cuvette transporter 31 is gripped by the catcher unit 26 and set on the heating table 16. Thereafter, the cuvette is transported by the catcher units 27 and 28 and set in the detection unit 40. At that time, the reagents held in the reagent tables 11 and 12 are appropriately injected into the cuvette by the reagent dispensing units 23, 24 and 25. Thereafter, processing by the detection unit 40 is performed, and optical information reflecting the components contained in the measurement sample in the cuvette is detected.

  The cuvette supply unit 33 is configured to be able to sequentially supply a plurality of inserted cuvettes to the cuvette reservoir 33a. New cuvettes supplied to the cuvette storage 33a are set in the holding holes of the cuvette table 15 and the cuvette transporter 31 by the catcher units 26 and 27, respectively. In addition, cuvettes that are no longer needed after analysis are discarded by the catcher units 27 and 28 to the disposal ports 34 and 35, respectively. The pipettes of the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 and the reagent dispensing units 23 to 25 are washed at a predetermined washing position (not shown). The cleaning liquid used for cleaning is stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown).

  Container racks 13 and 14 are placed on the reagent tables 11 and 12, respectively. The container racks 13 and 14 hold a plurality of reagent containers, and the reagents are stored in the reagent containers. When the reagent contained in the reagent container is exchanged, the main body cover 29 shown in FIG. 1 is opened after the measurement operation of the measurement unit 10 is interrupted. As a result, the operator can take out the reagent container from the reagent tables 11 and 12 and replace the reagent.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the sample container T and the sample rack L. 2A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the sample container T, and FIGS. 2B and 2C are front views of the sample rack L. FIG. 2B and 2C are front views when the sample rack L is viewed in the negative Y-axis direction of FIG. 2 when the sample rack L is set in the transport unit 50. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, the sample container T is a tubular container made of light-transmitting glass or synthetic resin, and has an upper end opened. A blood sample collected from the patient is housed inside, and the opening at the upper end is sealed by a lid CP. A barcode label BL1 is attached to the side surface of the sample container T. A barcode indicating the sample ID is printed on the barcode label BL1.

  Referring to FIG. 10B, the sample rack L is formed with ten holding portions so that ten sample containers T can be held in a vertical state (standing position). . Numbers of holding positions 1 to 10 from the right are assigned to the holding units. A barcode label BL2 is attached to the side surface of the sample rack L in the positive Y-axis direction. A barcode indicating the rack ID is printed on the barcode label BL2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the bottom surface of the sample rack L is formed with ten concave portions La opened in the downward direction along the longitudinal direction of the sample rack L, the same number as the holding portions. Each recessed part La is divided by the wall part Lb distribute | arranged to the left and right of each recessed part La.

  The sample rack L may be configured as shown in FIG. In this case, one recess Lc is formed on the bottom surface of the sample rack L.

  FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the configuration of the transport unit 50.

  In the rack set area A, a rack feeding mechanism A1 for transporting the placed sample rack L in the positive Y-axis direction is provided. The rack feeding mechanism A1 pushes the side surface (Y-axis negative direction) in front of the sample rack L placed in the rack set area A to transport it in the Y-axis positive direction, and sends the sample rack L to the transport area B. It is configured. Also, when a plurality of sample racks L are placed in the rack set area A, as shown in the figure, the front side of the sample rack L closest to the front (Y-axis negative direction) is pushed to the back (Y-axis positive direction). ) Sample rack L is fed into the transport area B.

  In the rack set area A, as shown in the figure, a pair of sensors A2 are provided at the end in the Y axis positive direction and the end in the Y axis negative direction of the rack set area A. The sensor A2 is a transmissive photosensor or the like. The sensor A2 is configured to be in a light-shielded state when the sample rack L is present in the rack set area A, and to be in a transmissive state when the sample rack L is not present.

  In the transport region B, a transport path B1 that supports the bottom surface of the sample rack L and two rack lateral feed mechanisms B2 are provided. The two rack lateral feed mechanisms B2 are disposed below the transport path B1, and independently move the two sample racks L disposed on the transport path B1 to the left and right (X-axis positive direction and negative direction). . The configuration of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4B and FIG.

  Here, before the sample rack L sent to the transport area B is transported to the sample suction positions 52 and 53, the barcode label BL1 of the sample container T and the barcode label of the sample rack L are read by the barcode reader 51. Reading of BL2 (hereinafter referred to as “prefetching”) is performed. The pre-reading by the bar code reader 51 is performed when the sample rack L is in the “pre-read position” range on the transport area B as shown in the figure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, sample suction positions 52 and 53 are set in the transport region B. The sample rack L that has been pre-read at the pre-read position is transported in the left direction (X-axis positive direction) so that the sample container T held in the sample rack L is positioned at the sample aspiration position 52 or 53. The The barcode label BL1 of the sample container T positioned at the sample aspirating position 52 or 53 is read by the barcode reader 51 (hereinafter referred to as “post-reading”), and then the sample is aspirated.

  Note that, when a cause of transportation interruption described later occurs when the specimen is being aspirated by the specimen dispensing units 21 and 22, the specimen rack L is moved to the “transport interruption position” and stopped.

  In the transfer area B, sensors B51 to B55 are installed as shown in the figure. The sensors B51 to 55 are composed of a reflection type photosensor or the like. The sensor B51 is configured to detect the sample rack L positioned at the right end (end in the negative direction of the X axis) of the transport area B. The sensor B52 is configured to detect that the sample rack L has been transported into the prefetch position. The sensors B53 and B54 are configured to detect that the sample rack L is positioned at the sample suction positions 52 and 53, respectively. The sensor B55 is configured to detect that the sample rack L has been transported to the transport interruption position.

  In the rack storage area C, a rack delivery mechanism C1 for transporting the placed sample rack L in the negative direction of the Y axis is provided. The rack delivery mechanism C1 moves the sample rack L arranged at the left end (the end in the X-axis positive direction) of the transport area B by one pitch in the Y-axis negative direction (the width in the short direction of the sample rack L). The sample rack L is configured to be sent out from the transport area B to the rack accommodating area C.

  Further, in the rack storage area C, a sensor C2 for detecting the presence or absence of the sample rack L is provided as shown in the figure. The sensor C2 is composed of a reflection type photosensor or the like, and is configured to detect the sample rack L sent to the transport end position (end in the negative Y-axis direction) of the rack storage area C.

  FIG. 5B is a plan view showing the configuration of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2. The two rack lateral feed mechanisms B2 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. The rack lateral feed mechanism B2 includes an engagement unit B3 that can be engaged with the sample rack L, and a moving mechanism B4 that moves the engagement unit B3 left and right (X-axis positive direction and negative direction).

  The moving mechanism B4 includes a pair of pulleys B41 arranged at both ends of the conveyance region B, a belt B42 stretched over the pulley B41, a stepping motor B43 that rotates one pulley B41, and the number of rotations of the stepping motor B43. And a rotary encoder B44 for detecting.

  The engaging unit B3 is connected to the belt B42 of the moving mechanism B4, and is configured to move left and right when the stepping motor B43 is driven. The amount of movement of the engagement unit B3 is detected by the rotary encoder B44 as the rotation speed of the stepping motor B43. The operation of the stepping motor B43 is controlled based on the detection result of the rotary encoder B44. In addition, the movement start point position and movement end point position of the engagement unit B3 are set at the right end (end in the X axis negative direction) and the left end (end in the X axis positive direction) within the drive range of the engagement unit B3, respectively. Has been. Furthermore, sensors B55 and B56, which are transmissive photosensors or the like that detect the engaging units B3 arranged at the movement start point position and the movement end point position, are arranged.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a main part of the engagement unit B3. FIG. 4A is a front view of the engagement unit B3 showing a state where the engagement unit B3 is not engaged with the sample rack L, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the engagement unit B3. (C), (d) is a front view of the engagement unit B3 showing a state in which the engagement unit B3 is engaged with the sample rack L. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, the engagement unit B3 includes a base B31, a pair of engagement members B32, and an action member B33. Further, the engagement unit B3 includes an air cylinder B34 (see FIG. 7) (not shown) for raising and lowering the action member B33.

  A guide member (not shown) is attached to the base B31, and the guide member is slidable on a guide rail (not shown) disposed along the X-axis direction below the transport path B1. Is engaged. The base B31 is supported by the guide rails so as to be movable in the X axis positive direction and the negative direction.

  As shown in the figure, the pair of engaging members B32 are attached to the upper portion of the base B31 so as to be rotatable around the Y axis by a fixture B31a made of a bolt and a nut. An engagement claw B32a is formed at the upper part of the engagement member B32, and an engagement roller B32b is provided at the lower end. A restriction hole for restricting the rotation range of the engagement roller B32b along the rotation line of the engagement roller B32b when the engagement member B32 rotates about the fixture B31a is formed in the base B31 (see FIG. (Not shown) is formed. The engagement roller B32b is movably engaged with the restriction hole. As a result, the engaging member B32 can be rotated only within a predetermined range around the Y axis around the fixture B31a.

  In the upper part of the action member B33, a rectangular engagement hole B33a that is long in the left-right direction with which the pair of engagement rollers B32b are engaged is formed. When the action member B33 is driven in the Z-axis direction, the pair of engagement members B32 rotate around the Y-axis about the fixture B31a via the engagement roller B32b engaged with the engagement hole B33a. . In the state where the pair of engaging members B32 are rotated downward (Z-axis negative direction), the engaging claws B32a are positioned below the conveying path B1, as shown in FIG. The sample rack L is not engaged.

  Compressed air is supplied to the air cylinder B34 from a compressor (not shown). The air cylinder B34 includes a rod that moves up and down by supplying compressed air. The action member B33 is fixed to the upper end of the rod of the air cylinder B34. When the rod of the air cylinder B34 moves up and down, the action member B33 moves up and down together, and the pair of engaging members B32 rotate up and down accordingly.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, as described above, the engaging claw B32a protrudes on the conveying path B1 through the groove formed in the conveying path B1 as shown in the figure by the rotation of the engaging member B32. The state which does and does not protrude is switched.

  Referring to FIG. 5C, when the engaging member B32 rotates upward (Z-axis positive direction), the engaging claw B32a protrudes on the transport path B1 and is formed at the bottom of the sample rack L. The pair of engaging claws 32a are separated from each other. As a result, the engaging claws 32a abut against the wall portions Lb on both sides of the concave portion La in the X-axis positive direction and the negative direction as shown in the drawing. Thus, the pair of engaging members B32 are engaged with the sample rack L, and the sample rack L can be transported.

  3D, when the sample rack L shown in FIG. 3C is used, the engaging claw B32a protrudes on the transport path B1 and is formed at the bottom of the sample rack L. Then, the pair of engaging claws 32a are separated from each other. In this case, the engaging claw B32a engages with a convex wall portion formed in the concave portion Lc as shown in the drawing. As a result, like the sample rack L shown in FIG. 3B, the sample rack L shown in FIG. 3C can also be transported.

  Such an engagement unit B3 is arranged below the conveyance path B1 so as to face the Y-axis direction as shown in FIG. 4B. Thereby, in the transport region B, the two sample racks L are driven independently.

  When the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 is configured in this way, the sample rack L is transported on the transport path B1 while the concave portion La on the bottom surface of the sample rack L is supported by the engaging claws B32a. In addition, when the cause of the conveyance interruption described later occurs, the sample rack L is stopped on the conveyance region B. In this case, the state in which the concave portion La on the bottom surface of the sample rack L is supported by the engagement claw B32a is maintained. The Further, when the sample rack L is stopped, the stepping motor B43 is continuously excited. Thereby, the position shift of the sample rack L is suppressed.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the transport unit 50.

  A roof 54 is installed in the upper portion (Z-axis positive direction) near the center of the transfer area B. At the right end (end in the negative direction of the X axis) of the roof 54 and the left end (end in the positive direction of the X axis) of the roof 54, respectively, flange portions 54a and 54b are provided, as shown. Further, as shown in the figure, openings 54c and 54d are formed in the roof 54. The specimen dispensing units 21 and 22 aspirate the specimen in the specimen container T positioned at the specimen aspirating positions 52 and 53 through the openings 54c and 54d, respectively. In addition, a lid 55 is detachably installed in front of the conveyance area B (in the negative Y-axis direction) as illustrated.

  When the transport unit 50 is configured in this way, the sample rack L and the sample container T in the transport region B are in a state where the upper side is closed except for the regions of the openings 54a and 54b. As a result, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the sample container T in the transport region B from coming into contact with the sample rack L and the sample container T from the operator. Further, when the transport unit 50 is configured in this way, the operator cannot touch the sample rack L and the sample container T in the vicinity of the center of the transport region B (the region covered by the lid 55). As a result, the operator is prevented from contacting the sample rack L and the sample container T.

  Note that the prefetch position shown in FIG. 4 is within the range covered by the lid 55. That is, when the sample rack L is positioned at the prefetch position, the sample rack L is completely accommodated in the lid portion 55. Further, the conveyance interruption position shown in FIG. 4 is also within the range covered by the lid portion 55. That is, even when the left end of the sample rack L protrudes from the lid 55 when the sample in the sample rack L is aspirated, the sample rack L is in the lid 55 if a cause for the interruption of conveyance described later occurs. It is positioned at the conveyance interruption position. This further suppresses the operator from coming into contact with the sample rack L and the sample container T while the measurement operation is interrupted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the measuring apparatus 2.

  The measuring device 2 includes a control unit 200, a barcode reader 51, a dispensing unit stepping motor unit 211, a dispensing unit rotary encoder unit 212, a motor drive circuit 213, a rack lateral feed mechanism stepping motor unit 221, Rack lateral feed mechanism rotary encoder unit 222, motor drive circuit 223, air cylinder B34, temperature detection unit 231, reagent remaining amount detection unit 232, liquid amount detection unit 233, cuvette storage amount detection unit 234, A rack detection unit 235, a sensor unit 236, and a measurement unit driving unit 237 are included.

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a communication interface 205, and an I / O interface 206.

  The CPU 201 executes a computer program stored in the ROM 202 and a computer program loaded in the RAM 203. The RAM 203 is used for reading computer programs recorded in the ROM 202 and the hard disk 204. The RAM 203 is also used as a work area for the CPU 201 when executing these computer programs. The hard disk 204 is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 201 such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs. In addition, data can be transmitted to and received from the information processing apparatus 3 by the communication interface 205.

  Further, the CPU 201 via the I / O interface 206 has a barcode reader 51, a dispensing unit rotary encoder unit 212, a motor drive circuit 213, a rack lateral feed mechanism rotary encoder unit 222, and a motor drive circuit 223. The air cylinder B34, the temperature detection unit 231, the reagent remaining amount detection unit 232, the liquid amount detection unit 233, the cuvette storage amount detection unit 234, the rack detection unit 235, the sensor unit 236, and the measurement unit drive unit 237.

  The dispensing unit stepping motor unit 211 includes stepping motors 211a and 211b that independently rotate and drive the support portion 21a of the sample dispensing unit 21 and the support portion 22a of the sample dispensing unit 22, respectively. The dispensing unit rotary encoder unit 212 includes rotary encoders 212a and 212b arranged in the stepping motors 211a and 211b of the sample dispensing units 21 and 22, respectively. The motor drive circuit 213 drives stepping motors 211 a and 211 b included in the dispensing unit stepping motor unit 211 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The rack transverse feed mechanism stepping motor unit 221 is configured by two stepping motors B43 of the rack transverse feed mechanism B2. The rack lateral feed mechanism rotary encoder section 222 is composed of the rotary encoders B44 of the two rack lateral feed mechanisms B2. The motor drive circuit 223 independently drives the two stepping motors B43 included in the rack lateral feed mechanism stepping motor unit 221 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The rotary encoders constituting the dispensing unit rotary encoder 212 and the rack lateral feed mechanism rotary encoder 222 are of the incremental type. This rotary encoder is configured to output a pulse signal corresponding to the amount of rotational displacement of the stepping motor, and can detect the amount of rotation of the stepping motor by counting the number of pulses output from the rotary encoder. it can.

  The temperature detection unit 231 includes a temperature sensor and detects the temperature of the heating table 16. The reagent remaining amount detection unit 232 includes a liquid level detection sensor, and detects the remaining amount of the reagent in the reagent containers arranged on the reagent tables 11 and 12. The liquid amount detection unit 233 includes a plurality of liquid level detection sensors, and detects the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid tank in which the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 and the reagent dispensing units 23 to 25 is stored. The amount of waste liquid in the waste liquid tank that contains the discarded cleaning liquid is detected. The cuvette storage amount detection unit 234 includes a cuvette storage amount sensor, and detects the remaining amount of the cuvette stored in the cuvette supply unit 33. The rack detection unit 235 includes sensors A2, B51 to B55, C2 installed in the transport unit 50. The sensor unit 236 includes a photosensor that detects that the main body cover 29 is opened. The measurement unit driving unit 237 includes an air pressure source that supplies pressure to the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 and the reagent dispensing units 23 to 25, and each table (reagent table). 11, 12, cuvette table 15, heating table 16).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the information processing apparatus 3.

  The information processing apparatus 3 includes a personal computer, and includes a main body 300, an input unit 310, and a display unit 320. The main body 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a hard disk 304, a reading device 305, an input / output interface 306, an image output interface 307, and a communication interface 308.

  The CPU 301 executes a computer program stored in the ROM 302 and a computer program loaded in the RAM 303. The RAM 303 is used for reading out computer programs recorded in the ROM 302 and the hard disk 304. The RAM 303 is also used as a work area for the CPU 301 when executing these computer programs.

  The hard disk 304 is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 301 such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs. In other words, the hard disk 304 receives the reagent status of the measuring device 2 and displays the remaining amount of the reagent on the display unit 309 as a message, and the measuring device 2 according to the reagent replacement or additional operation instruction. An operation program for operating is installed.

  The reading device 305 is configured by a CD drive, a DVD drive, or the like, and can read a computer program and data recorded on a recording medium. An input unit 310 such as a mouse or a keyboard is connected to the input / output interface 306, and data is input to the information processing apparatus 3 when the operator uses the input unit 310. The image output interface 307 is connected to the display unit 320 configured by a display or the like, and outputs a video signal corresponding to the image data to the display unit 320. The display unit 320 displays an image based on the input video signal. In addition, the communication interface 308 enables data transmission / reception with respect to the measurement apparatus 2.

  FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of a reagent information screen displayed on the display unit 320 of the information processing apparatus 3. The reagent information screen includes an arrangement display area 410, a detailed information display area 420, an operation instruction display area 430, and an operation determination display area 440.

  In the arrangement display area 410, the positions of the container racks 13 and 14 arranged on the reagent tables 11 and 12 and the arrangement state of the reagent containers accommodated in these container racks are displayed.

  When the reagent mark 411 or 412 in the arrangement display area 410 is selected, detailed information regarding the contents of the reagent container held at the selected selection mark position is displayed in the detailed information display area 420.

  The operation instruction display area 430 has a plurality of instruction type buttons including a sample rack discharge button 431. When the operator presses the instruction type button, an operation corresponding to the instruction type button is executed.

  The measurement instruction display area 440 includes a measurement interruption button 441 and a measurement start button 442. When the operator presses the measurement interruption button 441, measurement interruption processing is performed. When the measurement start button 442 is pressed by the operator when measurement is interrupted, measurement restart processing is performed. The measurement start button 442 is effectively displayed when it can be executed. When the measurement start button 442 is pressed when it cannot be executed, the operator is notified that the measurement cannot be executed. A message is displayed on the screen.

  Next, the processing operation of the sample processing apparatus will be described. The following processing operations are performed under the control of the information processing device 3 while performing data communication between the measurement device 2 and the information processing device 3.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the sample aspiration processing according to the present embodiment. In the processing flow shown below, the transport position of the sample rack L is ascertained based on the output from the rack lateral feed mechanism rotary encoder unit 222 and the output from the rack detection unit 235.

  In the present embodiment, when the operator inputs a measurement start instruction via the information processing device 3, the measurement of the measurement device 2 is started. When receiving the measurement start signal from the information processing device 3 (S1: YES), the CPU 201 of the measuring device 2 transports the sample rack L from the rack set area A to the prefetch position (S2). At the prefetch position, the barcode label BL2 of the sample rack L and the barcode label BL1 of the sample container T held in the sample rack L are prefetched by the barcode reader 51 (S3).

  The sample rack L for which the barcode reading at the pre-reading position has been completed is transported to the sample aspirating position 52 or 53 (S4). When the sample container T is positioned at the sample aspirating position 52 or 53, the barcode label BL1 of the sample container T is read later by the barcode reader 51 (S5). Subsequently, the specimen in the specimen container T from which the barcode has been read is aspirated by the specimen dispensing unit 21 or 22 at the specimen aspirating position 52 or 53 (S6).

  When the samples in all the sample containers T held in the sample rack L are aspirated (S7: YES), the sample rack L is sent to the rack storage area C (S8), and the sample aspiration processing for the sample rack L is performed. Ends. If the samples in all the sample containers T held in the sample rack L are not aspirated (S7: NO), S4 to S4 until the samples in the sample containers T held in the sample rack L are all aspirated. S6 is repeated.

  When the sample rack L is positioned at the sample aspirating position 52 or 53 and there is a subsequent sample rack L, the operation after S2 is started for the subsequent sample rack L. In this case, the barcode reader 51 is appropriately moved in the X-axis positive direction and the negative direction so that pre-reading is performed preferentially for the preceding sample rack L and pre-reading is also performed for the subsequent sample rack L. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the interruption / resumption processing of the transport operation performed by the measurement device 2 and the information processing device 3.

  In the present embodiment, when an interruption instruction signal is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 3 to the measuring apparatus 2 when the operator presses the measurement interruption button 441 shown in FIG. 9, the transport operation of the sample rack is interrupted. . Further, when a predetermined automatic interruption reason is detected, that is, when the cuvette storage amount detection unit 234 detects a shortage of cuvettes, the liquid amount detection unit 233 detects that the waste liquid tank is full, When the liquid amount detection unit 233 detects that the cleaning liquid is insufficient, or the reagent remaining amount detection unit 232 detects that the reagent is insufficient, the sensor C2 of the rack detection unit 235 fills the sample rack L in the rack storage area C. Even when it is detected that the sample rack has been detected, the transport operation of the sample rack is interrupted.

  Referring to FIG. 11A, when the CPU 301 of the information processing device 3 receives a signal (automatic interruption signal) indicating that the above-described automatic interruption reason has been detected from the measuring apparatus 2 (S11: YES), the measurement is performed. A display to the effect of interruption is displayed on the display unit 320 of the information processing apparatus 3 (S14). Further, when the measurement suspension button 441 is pressed by the operator (S12: YES), the CPU 301 of the information processing device 3 transmits a suspension instruction signal to the measurement device 2 (S13). Thereafter, the CPU 301 displays a display to the effect that the measurement is interrupted on the display unit 320 of the information processing device 3 (S14).

  FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram of a measurement interruption message displayed on the display unit 320 of the information processing apparatus 3, and displays “Please wait for a while as it is automatically restored”. In addition to this, the display message may be, for example, “It is not necessary to move the sample rack. When the measurement is resumed, the transport of the sample rack is automatically restored.” Thereby, it is understood that the operator does not need to reset the sample rack L in the rack set area A.

  Referring to FIG. 11B, when the CPU 201 of the measuring apparatus 2 detects the above-described automatic interruption reason (S21: YES), it transmits an automatic interruption signal to the information processing apparatus 3 (S22). The sample rack L is stopped by “processing” (S23). Further, when the CPU 201 of the measuring apparatus 2 receives the interruption instruction signal from the information processing apparatus 3 (S24: YES), the CPU 201 stops the sample rack L by the “sample rack stop process” (S23). The “sample rack stop process” will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 11A, when the operator instructs the measurement device 2 to resume measurement via the information processing device 3 (S15: YES), the CPU 301 of the information processing device 3 instructs the measurement restart instruction. A signal is transmitted to the measuring apparatus 2 (S16), and the process is terminated.

  Referring to FIG. 11B, when the CPU 201 of the measuring apparatus 2 receives the measurement resumption instruction signal from the information processing apparatus 3 (S25: YES), the conveyance of the sample rack L is resumed by “conveyance resumption processing” ( S26), the process is terminated. The “transport resumption process” will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If there is a possibility that the position of the sample rack L is shifted after the sample rack is stopped and before the transport of the sample rack L is resumed, the position of the sample rack L is shifted during this time. It may be determined whether there is any.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the processing for interrupting / resuming the transport of the sample rack L by the CPU 201 of the measurement apparatus 2 according to this modification. Hereinafter, only processing steps different from the processing flow of FIG. 11A will be described.

  In S31, the position on the transport region B of the sample rack L stopped by the “sample rack stop process” is stored. That is, the rotation amount detected from the rotary encoder B44 of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 that transports the sample rack L is stored in the RAM 303 or the hard disk 304 of the information processing apparatus 3.

  When a measurement restart instruction is issued (S25: YES), the current rotation amount of the rotary encoder B44 of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 is detected (S32), and the rotation amount stored in S31 is read (S33). When the values of these two rotation amounts are compared and it is determined that the position of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 has changed (S34: YES), the position of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 is the rotation amount stored in S31. (S35).

  In this way, even if the position of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 is changed immediately after the sample rack L is stopped, it is positioned at an appropriate position before the transport of the sample rack L is restarted by the “transport restart process”. Therefore, the transport of the sample rack L can be resumed smoothly.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a transport control list for the preceding rack and the succeeding rack. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the transport control lists for the preceding rack and the succeeding rack, respectively. The preceding rack is a sample rack L located downstream (X-axis positive direction) of the two sample racks L being transported in the transport area B, and the succeeding rack is the transport rack B. Among the two sample racks L being transported in FIG. 2, the sample rack L is located upstream (X-axis negative direction).

  Items in the transport control list include a rack position, a holding position, a specimen barcode reading situation, a measurement mode, a suction situation, and the like, as shown in FIGS. The transport control list is stored in the RAM 203 or the hard disk 204 of the measuring device 2. The transport control list controls the transport operation of the sample rack L after prefetching.

  The item “measurement mode” in the transport control list is acquired from a job list, which will be described later, based on the information on the barcode label BL2 of the sample rack L read at the pre-read position. The job list holds measurement order information including the measurement mode of each sample, measurement status information, measurement results, etc., and is registered in the job list of a new sample container T to be measured (hereinafter referred to as “order registration”). Is updated when measurement is started, when measurement is started, or when a measurement result is obtained. As shown in FIG. 15, the job list holds the measurement mode in association with the rack number and the holding position of the sample container T (rack number-position). When the barcode label BL2 of the sample rack L is read at the pre-reading position, the measurement mode associated with each holding position of the rack number corresponding to the read barcode label BL2 is changed from the job list to “ It is posted in the item “Measurement mode”. The item “aspiration status” in the transport control list is updated from “incomplete” to “completed” when the sample is aspirated in S6 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 14A, it can be seen from the item “rack position” that the preceding rack is positioned at the sample aspirating position 52. Further, it can be seen from the item “Sample Bar Code Reading Status” that the pre-reading by the bar code reader 51 is completed for all the holding positions. Further, from the item of “Measurement mode”, it is understood that standard measurement is performed for the sample containers T at the holding positions 1 to 4 and 7 to 10, and micro measurement is performed for the sample containers T at the holding positions 5 and 6. . In addition, from the item “aspiration status”, the sample aspiration is completed for the sample containers T at the holding positions 1 to 5 and the sample aspiration is completed for the sample containers T at the holding positions 6 to 10. I understand that there is no.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, it can be seen from the item “rack position” that the succeeding rack is positioned at the pre-read position. In addition, from the item of “sample barcode reading status”, pre-reading by the barcode reader 51 has been completed for the holding positions 1 to 5, and pre-reading by the barcode reader 51 has not been completed for the holding positions 6 to 10. I understand that. In addition, from the item “Measurement Mode”, standard measurement is performed for the sample containers T at the holding positions 1 to 3, 6, and 9 of the subsequent rack, and the sample containers T at the holding positions 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10 It can be seen that a trace measurement is performed for. Further, it can be seen from the item “suction status” that suction is not completed for all holding positions.

  When the preceding rack is transported to the rack storage area C and the succeeding rack positioned at the pre-reading position is positioned at the sample suction position 52 or 53, the transport control list of the succeeding rack is overwritten on the transport control list of the preceding rack. Then, the transport control list of the subsequent rack is initialized. When a new sample rack L is positioned at the pre-read position, a transport control list for the subsequent rack is created for this sample rack L.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a job list.

  As shown in the figure, the job list holds the measurement status, measurement order information, measurement results, and the like for the sample container T registered in the order. The job list is stored in the hard disk 304 of the information processing apparatus 3.

  Items in the job list include status, rack number-position, sample number, measurement mode, date, time, PT% (measurement result), and the like. In the “status” item, the measurement status for the specimen is written. If the sample measurement is not started by just registering the order, the “Status” item will be “Pending”, and as will be described later, if the sample rack L is ejected, “Error” will occur and the measurement for the sample will be completed. Then, the “status” item becomes blank. The item “rack number-position” indicates a number for identifying the sample rack L and the holding position of the sample container T. Each rack number is associated with information related to the barcode label BL2 of the sample rack L. The item “sample number” indicates a number for identifying the sample container T. Each “sample number” is associated with information on the barcode label BL1 of the sample container T. The items “date” and “time” indicate the date and time when the sample is taken into the measuring apparatus 2. In the “PT%” item, the measurement result is written when the measurement is normally completed, and “****. *” (Mask) is written when the measurement is not normally completed. “PT%” is a kind of measurement item, and the job list includes other measurement items.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a processing flow of “sample rack stop processing” in the suspension / resumption processing shown in FIG.

  When a transport interruption event occurs, when sample aspiration is completed for all sample containers T in the sample rack L and there is a sample rack L being transported toward the rack storage area C (S101: YES), the sample rack L Is transported to the rack storage area C (S102).

  When there is a sample rack L in which the sample is aspirated at the sample aspiration position 52 or 53 (S103: YES), the arm of the sample dispensing unit 21 or 22 is raised. When the raising of the arm of the sample dispensing unit 21 or 22 is completed (S104: YES), the sample rack L is moved to the conveyance interruption position shown in FIG. 4 and stopped at that position (S105). The movement of the sample rack L to the conveyance interruption position can be detected by the sensor B55.

  Further, when there is no sample rack L in which the sample is sucked at the sample suction position 52 or 53 (S103: NO), if there is a sample rack L between the pre-read position and the sample suction position 52 or 53 (S106: YES), the sample rack L is moved to the conveyance interruption position and stopped at that position (S107). That is, the pre-reading of the sample rack L is completed, and the sample rack L being transported toward the sample suction position 52 or 53 is positioned at the transport interruption position.

  When there is a pre-read sample rack L at the pre-read position (S108: YES), the process waits until barcode reading of the sample container T or sample rack L currently being pre-read is completed. When the barcode reading of the sample container T or sample rack L being read ahead is completed (S109: YES), the sample rack L is stopped at that position (S110).

  If there is no pre-read sample rack L at the pre-read position (S108: NO), the sample rack L being fed by the rack feed mechanism A1 in the rack set area A or the sample being transported to the pre-read position in the transport area B When there is a rack L (S111: YES), the sample rack L is transported to the prefetch position and stopped at the prefetch position (S112). Note that the sensor B52 can detect that the sample rack L has been transported to the prefetch position. In this way, the “sample rack stop process” is completed.

  In addition, after the sample rack L is stopped in S105, S107, S110, and S112, the engagement claw B32a of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 shown in FIG. Is maintained in an engaged state. Further, during the stop period, the stepping motor B43 is continuously excited so that the positional deviation of the sample rack L is suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to restart the transport operation of the sample rack L without any trouble.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of “transport resumption processing” in the interruption / resumption processing shown in FIG. 11.

  In S201, it is determined whether there is a stopped sample rack on the transport path B1 in the transport region B. If there is a stopped sample rack on the transport path B1 (S201: YES), it is determined whether there is a sample rack L at the transport interruption position (S202). If there is no stopped sample rack on the transport path B1 (S201: NO), the processing flow ends.

  If there is a sample rack L at the transport interruption position (S202: YES), it is determined whether there is a sample container T in which the sample has not been aspirated in the sample rack L (S203). If there is no sample rack L at the conveyance interruption position (S202: NO), the process proceeds to S206.

  If there is a sample container T in which the sample has not been aspirated in the sample rack L (S203: YES), the conveyance control list is referred to, according to the holding position of the sample container T in which the aspiration is incomplete, and The sample rack L is moved to the sample aspirating position 52 or 53 based on whether the sample in the sample container T is measured as a standard measurement or a trace amount (S204). If there is no sample container T in which the sample has not been aspirated in the sample rack L (S203: NO), the sample rack L is sent to the rack storage area C (S205). Thus, in S204, the sample container T that has already been aspirated is not aspirated, and is aspirated only for the sample container T that has not yet been aspirated.

  If there is a sample rack L at the pre-read position (S206: YES), it is determined whether there is a sample container T for which barcode reading by the barcode reader 51 has not been completed (S207). If there is no sample rack L at the pre-read position (S206: NO), the processing flow ends.

  If there is a sample container T for which barcode reading by the barcode reader 51 has not been completed (S207: YES), the barcode of the sample container T for which barcode reading has not been completed is referred to by referring to the transport control list. Reading is done. Even when the reading of the sample rack L is incomplete, the barcode reading of the sample rack L is performed. After the reading operation is completed, the sample is transported toward the sample suction position 52 or 53 (S208). If there is no sample container T for which barcode reading by the barcode reader 51 has not been completed (S207: NO), the sample rack L is transported toward the sample suction position 52 or 53 (S209). As described above, in S208, the barcode label that has already been read is not read, and only the barcode label that has not been read is read.

  As described above, the “transport resumption process” is completed.

  FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the sample rack L discharging process performed by the measurement apparatus 2 and the information processing apparatus 3.

  In the present embodiment, when the operator presses the sample rack discharge button 431 shown in FIG. 9 and a discharge instruction signal is transmitted from the information processing device 3 to the measurement device 2, the sample rack L being transported is racked. It is discharged into the storage area C. In addition, when a predetermined automatic discharge event is detected, that is, when an abnormal operation of the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 and the reagent dispensing units 23 to 25 is detected, the air pressure source of the measurement unit driving unit 237 When a pressure supply abnormality is detected, when an operation abnormality of each table (reagent table 11, 12, cuvette table 15, heating table 16) is detected, the sensor unit 236 detects that the main body cover 29 is open. In such a case, the sample rack L being transported is discharged to the rack storage area C even when the temperature detection unit 231 detects a temperature abnormality in the heating table 16.

  Referring to FIG. 18A, when the CPU 301 of the information processing device 3 receives a signal (automatic discharge signal) indicating that the automatic discharge reason has been detected from the measuring device 2 (S41: YES), the sample rack A display to the effect that L is discharged is displayed on the display unit 320 of the information processing apparatus 3 (S44). Further, when the operator presses the sample rack discharge button 431 (S42: YES), the CPU 301 of the information processing apparatus 3 transmits a discharge instruction signal to the measurement apparatus 2 (S43). Thereafter, the CPU 301 displays a display to the effect that the sample rack L is discharged on the display unit 320 of the information processing apparatus 3 (S44), and ends the process.

  Referring to FIG. 18B, when the CPU 201 of the measuring apparatus 2 detects the above-described automatic discharge reason (S51: YES), it transmits an automatic discharge signal to the information processing apparatus 3 (S52). The sample rack L is discharged by “processing” (S53). Further, when the CPU 201 of the measuring apparatus 2 receives the discharge instruction signal from the information processing apparatus 3 (S54: YES), the CPU 201 discharges the sample rack L by the “sample rack discharge process” (S52). The “sample rack discharge process” will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a processing flow of “sample rack discharge processing” in the discharge processing shown in FIG.

  In S301, it is determined whether the sample in the sample container T has been aspirated and there is a sample rack L being sent from the transport area B to the rack storage area C. If it is determined that there is such a sample rack L (S301: YES), this sample rack L is carried out to the rack storage area C (S302). If it is determined that there is no such sample rack L (S301: NO), the process proceeds to S303.

  In S303, it is determined whether there is a sample rack L in which the sample is aspirated at the sample aspiration position 52 or 53. If it is determined that there is such a sample rack L (S303: YES), the arm of the sample dispensing unit 21 or 22 is raised (S304). When the raising of the arm of the sample dispensing unit 21 or 22 is completed (S304: YES), the sample rack L in which the sample has been aspirated is transported leftward (X-axis positive direction) along the transport region B. Then, it is carried out to the rack storage area C (S305). If it is determined that there is no sample rack L being aspirated (S303: NO), the process proceeds to S306.

  In S306, after the prefetching is completed, it is determined whether there is a sample rack L positioned between the prefetched position and the sample aspirating position 52 or 53. If it is determined that there is such a sample rack L (S306: YES), the sample rack L is transported to the left (X-axis positive direction) along the transport region B and is transported to the rack storage region C (S307). ). If it is determined that there is no sample rack between the pre-read position and the sample suction position 52 or 53 (S306: NO), the process proceeds to S308.

  In S308, it is determined whether there is a sample rack L being prefetched. If it is determined that there is a pre-read sample rack L (S308: YES), the pre-read sample rack is transported to the left along the transport region B before the pre-read operation is completed, and is moved to the rack storage region C. It is sent out (S309). If it is determined that there is no sample rack L being pre-read (S308: NO), the process proceeds to S310.

  In S310, it is determined whether there is a sample rack L that is transported on the transport region B toward the prefetch position. If it is determined that there is such a sample rack L (S310: YES), the sample rack L is carried out to the rack storage area C without reading the barcode and sucking the sample (S311). . If it is determined that there is no such sample rack L (S310: NO), the process proceeds to S312. Note that YES is also determined in S310 when the sample rack L is sent from the rack set area A to the right end of the transport area B and the sample rack L is transported toward the prefetch position. .

  In S312, it is determined whether there is a sample rack L being sent in the rack set area A toward the right end of the transport area B. If it is determined that there is such a sample rack L (S312: YES), the sample rack L is stopped at that position (S313), and the “sample rack discharge process” is ended. If it is determined that there is no such sample rack L (S312: NO), the “sample rack discharge process” ends.

  Of the sample containers T held in the sample rack L forcibly discharged by the above processing, for the sample containers T for which the sample has been aspirated, the item “state” in the job list shown in FIG. Can be rewritten to blank. For the sample container T that has been pre-read but forcibly discharged without aspirating the sample, the “status” item in the job list shown in FIG. 15 becomes Error, and the measurement item is masked.

  FIG. 18C is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of job list display processing.

  When the operator instructs display of the job list via the information processing device 3 (S61: YES), a screen showing the job list is displayed on the display unit 320 of the information processing device 3 (S62).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the transport operation of the sample rack L is interrupted, the transport of the sample rack L is stopped according to the “sample rack stop process” shown in FIG. Thereafter, the transport of the sample rack L is restarted according to the “transport restart process” shown in FIG. Thus, even when the transport of the sample rack L is stopped, the operator does not need to return the sample rack L stopped on the transport path to the initial position (rack set area A), thereby reducing the burden on the operator. As a result, the transport operation of the sample rack L can be resumed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the engaging claw B32a of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 is engaged with the concave portion La of the sample rack L during the interruption period of the transport operation, The rack L can be prevented from coming off the transport path B. In addition, during the interruption period, the stepping motor B43 is continuously excited, so that the movement of the sample rack L can be suppressed. Thereby, the transport operation of the sample rack L can be restarted without any trouble.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, if the position of the sample rack L is returned to the position at the time of stopping the transport prior to the restart of the transport, it is assumed that the position of the sample rack L has changed for some reason during the stop of the transport. However, the transport of the sample rack L can be resumed without any trouble.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the sample rack L is positioned in the region covered with the lid portion 55 in response to the interruption of the transport operation, the operator moves to the sample rack L during the suspension period of the transport operation. Contact can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the cause of interruption of the transport operation occurs, the sample rack L is stopped after moving the sample rack L to a predetermined position (transport stop position or pre-reading position), and the sample is started from the predetermined position. Since the transport operation of the rack L is resumed, the transport operation can be performed more easily without complicated control such as once moving the sample rack L to the initial position (rack set area A) and then restarting the transport operation. Can be resumed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the transport operation is interrupted during the sample aspiration, the sample rack L is moved to the transport interruption position after the pipettes of the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 are extracted from the sample container T. Therefore, when the sample rack L is moved to the conveyance interruption position, contact between the pipette of the sample dispensing units 21 and 22 and the sample container T and the sample rack L is avoided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the transport operation is resumed, the sample is sucked only for the sample container T in which the sample has not been sucked based on the suction state of the transport control list, and the sample has already been sucked. Since the sample is not aspirated for the sample container T that has been completed, the transport operation can be efficiently restarted.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the transport operation is restarted, only the sample container T that has not been pre-read is pre-read based on the transport control list, and the sample container T that has been pre-read is already read. Since prefetching is not performed, the sample rack L can be quickly transported to the sample aspirating positions 52 and 53.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment, Moreover, various changes besides the above are possible for embodiment of this invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when the cause of interruption of the transport operation occurs, the sample rack L is stopped after the sample rack L is moved to a predetermined position (transport stop position or pre-read position). It is not limited to. The sample rack L may be stopped at the position at the time when the conveyance interruption cause occurs. For example, when the sample rack L is located between the conveyance interruption position and the prefetch position when the conveyance interruption cause occurs. The sample rack L may be stopped at that position. In this case, the sample rack L may be temporarily moved to the conveyance interruption position or the pre-reading position where the accurate position can be recognized by the sensor, and the conveyance operation of the sample rack L may be resumed from that position. In this way, the transport operation of the sample rack L can be restarted with simpler control.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the transport operation of the sample rack L is resumed when there is an instruction to restart the measurement by the operator. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above-described automatic interruption reason (insufficient cuvette) When it is detected that the reagent shortage has been resolved, the transport operation of the sample rack L may be automatically restarted.

  In the above embodiment, the sample processing apparatus 1 is a blood coagulation analyzer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The sample processing apparatus 1 can be, for example, an immune analyzer that measures serum, a blood cell counter that counts blood cells in whole blood, a urine analyzer that measures urine, or an analyzer that analyzes bone marrow fluid.

  In the above-described embodiment, the measurement unit 10 that measures the sample is used as the sample processing unit. However, the sample processing unit smears the sample on a slide glass to produce a smear. It may be a production unit.

  In the above embodiment, when the transport of the sample rack L is interrupted, the engagement claw B32a of the rack lateral feed mechanism B2 is moved as shown in FIGS. 5 (c) and 5 (d). In this state, the stepping motor B43 is continuously excited, and the movement of the sample rack L is suppressed. However, instead of this, a lock mechanism for fixing the sample rack L to a predetermined region of the transport region B when the transport of the sample rack L is interrupted may be provided separately.

  In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sample processing apparatus 3 ... Information processing apparatus 10 ... Measurement unit 21c, 22c ... Pipette 50 ... Conveyance unit 51 ... Bar code reader 55 ... Cover part 200 ... Control part 221 ... Rack lateral feed mechanism stepping motor part 223 ... Motor drive circuit 232 ... Remaining reagent detection unit 233 ... Liquid amount detection unit 234 ... Cuvette storage amount detection unit 235 ... Rack detection unit 303 ... RAM
304 ... Hard disk 320 ... Display section B3 ... Engagement unit B4 ... Moving mechanism B34 ... Air cylinder

Claims (15)

A sample processing unit for taking a sample from a sample container positioned at a sample take-in position and performing a predetermined process;
A transport unit for transporting a sample rack capable of holding a sample container toward the sample take-in position;
If a transport interruption cause occurs during the transport operation of a sample rack that holds a sample container that has not yet been sampled, the transport unit responds to the position from the position of the sample rack at the time when the transport interruption cause occurs. After the sample rack is positioned at the predetermined position, a stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit is executed, and from the predetermined position where the sample rack is stopped by the stop process, the transport unit performs the process. A transport control means for resuming the transport operation of the sample rack,
The sample processing apparatus , wherein the transport unit includes a lid portion that covers a part of the transport path of the sample rack and covers the sample rack transported to the predetermined position . The transport unit is
An engagement mechanism driven to engage with the sample rack;
An engagement drive for driving the engagement mechanism;
A moving mechanism for moving the engagement mechanism engaged with the sample rack in the transport direction;
A motor for driving the moving mechanism;
A motor drive unit for driving the motor,
The transport control unit controls the engagement drive unit and the motor drive unit so that the motor continues to be excited while the engagement mechanism is engaged with the sample rack while the transport operation is interrupted. To
The sample processing apparatus according to claim 1. The transport control unit obtains information regarding the position of the sample rack on the transport path, and based on the information regarding the predetermined position where the sample rack has stopped and the information regarding the position of the sample rack at the time of the restart, Causing the transport unit to restart the transport operation of the sample rack;
The sample processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The transport unit is
An engagement mechanism driven to engage with the sample rack;
An engagement drive unit for driving the engagement mechanism,
The transport control unit controls the engagement driving unit so that the engagement mechanism is engaged with the sample rack while the transport operation is interrupted.
The specimen processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The sample processing unit includes a pipette for aspirating a sample from a sample container held in the sample rack,
The transport control means transports the sample rack to the predetermined position after the pipette is taken out of the sample container when the cause of the transport interruption occurs when the pipette is inserted into the sample container.
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The sample rack can hold a plurality of sample containers,
If the cause of the interruption of transport occurs when the sample container held in the sample rack is located at the sample take-in position, the transport control means has already taken in the sample when the transport operation is resumed. The sample container that has been completed is not moved to the sample take-in position, and the transport operation by the transport unit is controlled so that the sample container that has not yet been taken in the sample is moved to the sample take-in position.
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A storage unit for storing a sample taking-in status for each sample container held in the sample rack;
The transport control unit controls a transport restart operation by the transport unit based on the capture status stored in the storage unit.
The sample processing apparatus according to claim 6 . The sample rack can hold a plurality of sample containers,
An identification information reading unit that reads identification information of each sample container held in the sample rack in the middle of the transport path toward the sample take-in position;
When the cause of the interruption of conveyance occurs after the reading of the identification information for all the sample containers held in the sample rack is completed, the conveyance control unit displays the identification rack with the sample rack when the conveyance operation is resumed. Controlling the transport unit to transport toward the sample taking-in position without returning to the reading position by the reading unit;
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . When the transport interruption cause occurs during the transport operation toward the identification information reading unit of the sample rack, the transport control unit determines from the position of the sample rack at the time when the transport interrupt cause occurs by the transport unit. Performing a stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit after transporting the sample rack to the reading position as the predetermined position;
The sample processing apparatus according to claim 8. The transport control unit waits until the reading of the identification information is completed for the sample container being read when the cause of the transfer interruption occurs during the reading operation of the identification information by the identification information reading unit, and the predetermined position A stop process for stopping the transport of the sample rack by the transport unit at the reading position as
The sample processing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9. The transport control means applies to all the remaining sample containers held in the sample rack when the transport operation is resumed when the cause of the transport interruption occurs during the identification information reading operation by the identification information reading unit. After the reading of the identification information is completed, the transport unit is controlled to transport the sample rack toward the sample take-in position.
The sample processing apparatus according to claim 10. The transport control means is performing a transport operation from the identification information reading unit of the sample rack toward the sample take-in position, or when the sample container held in the sample rack is located at the sample take-in position. When the cause of the interruption of transportation occurs, the transportation unit moves from the position of the sample rack at the time when the cause of transportation interruption occurs to the transportation interruption area as the predetermined position provided downstream in the transportation direction of the reading position. After transporting the sample rack, a stop process for stopping transport of the sample rack by the transport unit is executed.
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11. A notification means for notifying that the operator does not need to move the sample rack that is in the course of transport to resume the transport operation when the transport operation of the transport unit is interrupted;
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . The remaining amount of reagent used in the sample processing unit is less than a predetermined amount, the remaining amount of cuvette used in the sample processing unit is less than a predetermined amount, and the remaining amount of washing water used in the sample processing unit Is provided with a detecting means for detecting at least one of the following: less than a predetermined amount, and a predetermined number of sample racks are stored in the transport unit,
The conveyance interruption cause includes that the detection means performs the detection.
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 . Receiving means for receiving an instruction to interrupt the transport operation of the transport unit;
The conveyance interruption cause includes that the reception unit has received the interruption instruction.
The sample processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 .

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